The President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, has been lauded as “a visionary leader, a tireless son of Africa who has dedicated his life to transform the narrative of the continent.” These words came from the President of the United Republic of Tanzania, Samia Suluhu Hassan, during a recent high-profile visit that highlighted Dr. Adesina’s instrumental role in Tanzania’s socio-economic development.
President Suluhu Hassan praised Dr. Adesina’s leadership, underscoring the African Development Bank’s critical involvement in financing large-scale infrastructure projects that have significantly boosted Tanzania’s economy. Among these projects are the newly constructed international airport and a major highway encircling Dodoma, the country’s administrative capital.
During the visit, Dr. Adesina was taken on an extensive tour of these Bank-financed projects, which are not only transforming Tanzania’s infrastructure landscape but also enhancing its regional and international connectivity. The President emphasized the Bank’s support for other vital sectors, including agriculture and energy, which are central to Tanzania’s growth agenda.
“This is in addition to the construction of a modern Standard Gauge Railway line that will link Tanzania to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo,” President Suluhu Hassan remarked, highlighting the regional integration ambitions supported by the Bank.
Since its operations began in Tanzania in 1971, the African Development Bank Group has invested $9 billion in the country. Remarkably, under Dr. Adesina’s leadership over the past decade, the Bank has provided $4.73 billion—accounting for 53 percent of its total lending to Tanzania over 54 years.
Expressing national gratitude, President Suluhu Hassan stated, “On behalf of the people of Tanzania, I express our gratitude to the African Development Bank for being a dependable partner of our country’s development journey.” She further acknowledged the transformative impact of Dr. Adesina’s leadership, saying, “Your visionary leadership has brought significant socio-economic change to Tanzania and across Africa.”
In a historic moment, the President announced to enthusiastic applause, “I have accepted a recommendation by the Ministry of Works to rename the Dodoma Outer Ring Road as the Dr Akinwumi Adesina Road.” The 112-kilometer dual carriageway is a key segment of the Cape to Cairo continental corridor, designed to ease congestion in Dodoma and improve regional trade routes. The project was funded by the Bank with $138 million, supplemented by $42 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund and $34.69 million from the Tanzanian government.
Dr. Adesina, accompanied by his wife Grace Yemisi Adesina, was visibly moved by the honor. Earlier, he surprised attendees by delivering a significant portion of his speech in Kiswahili, Tanzania’s national language widely spoken across East and Central Africa. He thanked President Suluhu Hassan for her warm hospitality in Dar es Salaam and Dodoma.
The visit also featured a prestigious academic recognition: Dr. Adesina was awarded a Doctor of Science Honorary Degree (Honoris Causa) by the University of Dar es Salaam. The citation praised his “lifelong dedication to public service, evidence-based policymaking, and pan-African progress,” and described him as a “beacon of integrity, excellence, and servant leadership.” The degree was conferred by the University Chancellor and former President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, who affirmed the Bank’s unparalleled role in Tanzania’s infrastructure development.
Addressing the university graduates, Dr. Adesina reflected on his humble origins, emphasizing resilience, character, and unity. “Success cannot be achieved alone,” he said, urging the students to join hands and declare, “Together, we will succeed and make a difference.”
Finance Minister Mwigulu Nchemba echoed the nation’s pride, stating, “Tanzania is proud to stand among the nations celebrating this remarkable journey and enduring legacy.”
Following the ceremony, Dr. Adesina, former President Kikwete, and Minister Nchemba traveled by the Standard Gauge Railway from Dar es Salaam to Dodoma—a journey emblematic of the Bank’s commitment to regional integration. The Bank is spearheading a $1.2 billion syndication strategy with Deutsche Bank, Société Générale, and other partners to extend this electrified railway line to Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This railway line is a cornerstone of East Africa’s regional integration vision, aimed at delivering a modern, cost-effective, and high-capacity transport system anchored on the port of Dar es Salaam and linking landlocked nations,” Dr. Adesina explained. “Our shift from traditional road systems to integrated transport solutions is helping position Tanzania as a key logistics and trade hub in the region.”
President Suluhu Hassan accompanied Dr. Adesina along the Dodoma Outer Ring Road, stopping at the Bank-funded Msalato International Airport, slated for completion by the end of 2026. This state-of-the-art airport features a 3.6-kilometre runway capable of accommodating the Airbus A380, making it one of East Africa’s longest landing strips. The African Development Bank has invested over $198 million in the airport project, including $23 million from the African Development Fund and $50 million from the Africa Growing Together Fund.
This visit and the accolades bestowed upon Dr. Adesina underscore the profound impact of his visionary leadership on Tanzania’s development and Africa’s broader economic transformation.
